By Chinedum Treasure
The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, District 9142, in partnership with Ultimate Destiny Uplifters Foundation (UDUF Africa), has awarded N5 million in business grants to five emerging entrepreneurs at the 2026 Under45CEOs Business and Leadership Summit in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The beneficiaries received N1 million each during the Pitch and Win Contest at the sixth edition of the summit, held at the Youth Development Centre, Federal Housing Estate, 3-3, Onitsha, under the theme, “Rethinking Entrepreneurship.”
The initiative aims to empower young entrepreneurs, promote innovation and support businesses capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic development.
Initially, the contest offered N1 million to the first-place winner and N500,000 to the second-place winner. However, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Janksmay Global Services Limited, Mr Ifeanyi Onwuachu, donated an additional N3.5 million after being impressed by the quality and growth potential of the businesses presented.
His intervention raised the total grant to N5 million, enabling all five finalists to receive N1 million each.
Speaking at the event, President of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis and founder of UDUF Africa, Rtn. Ezuma Smart Chinedu, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use the funds responsibly to grow their businesses.
He described the grants as an investment in enterprises capable of creating employment and addressing societal challenges, stressing that their success would be measured by business growth, jobs created and lasting impact.
Ezuma commended UDUF Africa, led by its Continental President, Uplifter Christopher Uchenna, for promoting entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. He also appreciated Onwuachu for his generous contribution and reaffirmed the club’s commitment to supporting business development and mentorship initiatives.
One of the contest judges, Rtn. Ugoo Abba of the Department of Public Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, encouraged the beneficiaries to deploy the funds strategically and translate their business ideas into measurable results.
The Rotary Club also recommended a follow-up mechanism to monitor the businesses, assess the impact of the grants and connect the beneficiaries with experienced entrepreneurs for mentorship in financial management, marketing and business expansion.
The summit highlighted the role of partnerships between service organisations, foundations and private-sector leaders in supporting entrepreneurship and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Tags: Under45CEOs Summit, Rotary Club of Onitsha, UDUF Africa, Start-up Grants, Entrepreneurship, Anambra State
